Leclerc 'Pretty Happy' with Mexico Qualifying, But Left Wanting More

Charles Leclerc delivered a scintillating performance in Saturday's Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying, yet the Ferrari star admitted to feeling a touch of frustration about narrowly missing out on the top spot to Lando Norris. Despite setting the pace early, Leclerc's upbeat resolve and focus on Sunday's race signal a driver ready to fight for victory.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's strong qualifying performance, led by Leclerc, positions them well for a challenging race in Mexico City. After recent podiums, maintaining this momentum is crucial for Leclerc and the team as they aim to convert grid position into a race win, especially given the unpredictable nature of the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Details:

• Leclerc initially set the pace in Q3, expressing momentary belief in securing pole position.
• Lando Norris of McLaren ultimately snatched pole with a remarkable improvement on his final lap, outpacing Leclerc by just 0.262 seconds.
• Challenging Conditions: Leclerc highlighted the extremely low grip in Mexico City, making it 'very, very difficult' to string together a perfect lap due to excessive sliding.
• Norris's Surprising Leap: Leclerc admitted he was 'very surprised' by the significant jump in performance Norris made from his first to second Q3 run, concluding that Ferrari simply 'didn't have the pace today to match that.'
• Marginal Gains: While acknowledging there were 'a little bit here and there' to improve his own lap, Leclerc didn't believe it would have been enough to secure pole.

What's next:

Leclerc is now setting his sights firmly on the race start, recognizing its critical importance in Mexico due to the long run to Turn 1.

• Start Strategy: He expressed a slight preference for P3 to benefit from a slipstream, noting that starting from P2 means he'll likely lack slipstream and be on the 'dirty side of the track.'
• Focus on Control: Despite the potential disadvantages, Leclerc is determined to 'focus on what I can control' to maximize his start and aim to take the lead into Turn 1.
• Momentum: Following a return to form with recent podium finishes, Leclerc is keen to continue this positive trend in Mexico City. His strong qualifying performance indicates he's poised to apply significant pressure on his rivals during the race.

Between the lines:

Leclerc's candid remarks reveal a mix of satisfaction with his driving and a competitor's natural disappointment at being so close to pole. His focus immediately shifting to the race start underscores the strategic thinking required in F1, particularly at a circuit where the run to the first corner can be a race-deciding moment.